A self-titled group of “patriots” launched an effort to crank call @DeptVetAffairs Veterans Crisis Line & urged supporters to clog the line with calls complaining #veterans arrested for the Jan. 6 Capitol Hill riot are being mistreated in custody. taskandpurpose.com/news/veterans-…
On Monday, the group held a live-streamed vigil outside the VA’s National Capital Regional Office in Washington, D.C. A man who identified himself as “Justin Johnson” urged 1776 Restoration Movement supporters to they could help the cause by calling the #veterans crisis line.
“Justin Johnson” said: “So, you dial 988 – they made it easier than ever to call. So, you dial 988 & then you press 1.” He put his phone up to the camera to show people the number to call & said: “So, let them know that there is inhumane treatment going on at the D.C. jail.” 
In a video posted on #Twitter, “Justin Johnson”boasted his tactic of having callers flood the #Veterans Crisis Line was “pretty effective,” adding, “So, the trolls, they took the bait.” He also justified the attack by saying the Veterans Crisis Line is not the same as 911.
In his #Twitter video, “Justin Johnson” reportedly said: “I’ve called the crisis line before a few times & the first thing it tells you when you get on there is: If this is an emergency, please hang up and call 911.”
One person tweeted a text purportedly from a #veteran unable to get help because the Veterans Crisis Line was busy. “When I couldn’t get through I almost went through with my plan but then my mom intervened. This has real world consequences. I just pray nobody took their life.”
@TaskandPurpose Thanks for reporting this story!
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